After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back.
"By the way, we're leaving for Konoha this afternoon. Go pack your things."
"Yes!"
Watching his teacher's back disappear into the house, Jiraiya let out a long breath and plopped down on the ground.
"That scared me to death... I thought I'd be punished with a hundred laps."
Tsunade also relaxed and sat down beside him. "Sensei is genuinely worried about us."
Orochimaru leaned against a tree without speaking, but a complicated emotion flashed through his golden eyes.
Inside, Kumoi was still seated at the table, holding a cup of tea that had long gone cold.
He looked at the backs of the three young people outside the window, a faint smile on his lips.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the door open, sat across from him, and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Finished lecturing them?" Kumoi asked.
"Mm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of tea and shook his head. "Those three are nothing but trouble."
Kumoi smiled. "It's normal for young people to be troublesome. If they were too sensible, they wouldn't be young."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as well, though his smile carried a hint of wistfulness.
The two silently drank tea for a while.
Through the window, Kumoi's gaze fell on the Haku-haired boy laughing and talking with Tsunade and Orochimaru.
He recalled the animated stories Jiraiya had told over their meal about his experiences on Mount Myōboku—those enormous Toads, the Toad Boss named Gamabunta, and those Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima...
In the original story, it was from Mount Myōboku that Jiraiya embarked on a path to search for the "Child of Destiny."
He had walked that path for his entire life, and in the end...
Kumoi lowered his gaze, lightly rubbing his fingers over his teacup.